A Review of Cancer Awareness in Malaysia – What’s Next?

Background: The burden of cancer is particularly greater in less developed countries where 82 percent of the world's population resides. Greater efforts are needed for cancer awareness. This paper reviewed the campaigns conducted in the last five years in Malaysia, to identify gaps for informing the direction of future campaigns. Method: A two steps review involving searching for published campaigns on the internet, using keywords – cancer campaigns, awareness, and it was limited to June 2012-2017. The follow up step was a searched into the cancer related websites Results: The search found at least 35 published cancer campaigns – which focus predominantly on breast cancer, mostly conducted as one day event, with no report on outcome measures of effectiveness, and primarily held in peninsular Malaysia. There is an increasing trend to focus on colorectal cancer in recent years. Discussion: Cancer awareness campaigns are sporadic, generic, and dominated by breast cancer. Cancer awareness, cancer detection and cancer prevention campaigns have their roles and are equally needed. Future campaigns with measure of effectiveness should be targeted – i.e. on general awareness (focusing on a knowledge strategy on clear signs and symptoms) or specific cancer survivorship (focusing on prevention - via tobacco control, vaccination for liver and cervical cancers, physical activity, good dietary patterns, and weight-control). Clear, key detection strategy (targeted at general population) and clear preventive strategy (targeted at the rising cancer survivors), are needed and should be pursued relentlessly, to help reduce the rising burden of cancer. Conclusion: Future campaigns should be designed as targeted campaigned – not just with the types of cancer, but with specific knowledge strategy - i.e. awareness of specific cancer, or detection of sign and symptoms, or knowledge of access to screening, or cancer prevention strategy. There must be accompanying outcome measurement on the effectiveness of the campaign conducted, so that future campaigns can be upgraded. Cancer awareness, cancer detection (with symptoms recognition), or cancer prevention should be targeted, and be designed accordingly. A one size fit all is not the way forward.